Module 1: Key concepts in data demand & use

Module 1: Learning objectives

Understand

the value of data collection and use in program monitoring and improvement

key concepts in data demand and use

decision-making process

Why address data demand & use?

“… without information, things are done arbitrarily and one becomes unsure of whether a policy or program will fail or succeed. If we allow our programs to be guided by empirical facts and data, there will be a noticeable change in the impact of what we do.”

National-level Policymaker, Nigeria

What are data?

Definition

Data sources

Service delivery statistics

Census

Surveys, evaluations, research studies

Sentinel surveillance

Budget information

Data Infrastructure

National

Regional

District

Facility Surveys

Evaluations

Census

Surveillance

Routine data Non-routine data

Why do we collect data?

Track changes in program performance over time

Monitoring

Attribute program outcomes to their causes

Evaluation

Purposes of monitoring and evaluation

Determine whether a plan or program is on schedule with planned activities

Assess whether a policy, plan, or program has produced desired impacts

Generate knowledge: • Identify factors that influence health outcomes

Inform policy, planning, or program decisions

M&E is not an enemy

Policymakers, program managers, and

M&E/strategic information specialists can be

partners

Strong decision making and management rely on

high-quality M&E / strategic information

Data quality is linked to data use

Understand program performance

Strengthen programs and improve services delivered

Advocate for additional resources, policies, and programs

Ensure accountability to civil society

Why are data important to a provider?

Using data helps providers to…

Improve services Improve services

Ask critical questionsAsk critical questions

Open lines of communicationOpen lines of communication

data-based decisions

which lead to…

better health programs and

better health outcomes

Monitoring and Evaluation allows….

Role of the provider in M&E and data use

Ensure timely and quality data

Facilitate facility-level data analysis, interpretation, and display

Identify problems /concerns and develop/suggest solutions to address them

Request feedback from management on decisions made

Data Quality

Accurate

Complete

Timely

Monthly summary of child health & nutrition services – October 2010

Child health and nutrition

Children needing follow-up Male Female Total

Marasmus 4 9 13

Kwashiorkor 6 5 10

Anemia 22 17 93

Faltering weight 24 55

Other (specify):___________ 0 1 1

Monthly summary of child health & nutrition services – October 2010

Child health and nutrition

Children needing follow-up Male Female Total

Marasmus 4 9 13

Kwashiorkor 6 5 20

Anemia 22 17 39

Faltering weight 24 24

Other (specify):___________ 0 1 1

Data Demand & Use

Demand for Data

Demand – the value stakeholders place on data, whether or not the data are used

Demand exists if

Specific questions need to be answered and data are sought to answer them

A decision needs to be made and data are sought to inform it

Data Use

Use refers to the decision-making process

A decision maker uses information if he/she

Is explicitly aware of the decision to be made or question to be answered

Considers relevant information in making the decision, even if the information is outweighed by other factors

What Are Decisions?

Choices that lead to action

All decisions are informed by questions

All questions should be based on data

Group participation

What are decisions you make in your daily life?

What are examples of decisions made by others – that affect you in your daily life?

Decision Areas

Program design

Program management and improvement

Strategic planning

Advocacy and policy development

Who makes decisions?

Traditional decision makers Program manager, policymaker, funder

Other stakeholders Any person, group, or organization with a

particular interest in a policy or program Providers, implementers, beneficiaries, civil

society

Role of the provider in decision making Data collection – filling out the forms

Data compilation

Data analysis, interpretation, & reporting

Program monitoring

Problem identification & solution development

Best practice identification

Communication

What Determines Data Demand & Use?

ORGANIZATIONAL

TECHNICAL

BEHAVIORAL

Data are often underutilized because of…

Technical determinants

Poor data quality

Insufficient data analysis skills

* Based on PRISM analytical framework (LaFond, Fields et al. 2005 The PRISM: An Analytical Framework for Understanding Performance of Health Information Systems in Developing Countries. MEASURE Evaluation).

Data are often underutilized because of…

Organizational determinants

Roles and responsibilities are unclear

Inadequate support for data use by management

Behavioral determinants

Staff motivation

What Determines Data Demand & Use?

ORGANIZATIONAL

TECHNICAL

BEHAVIORALPOLITICS

CULTURE

SOCIETY

Key Messages

Data are needed to improve the delivery of services

Providers play a critical role in data collection, data

monitoring, problem identification, & solution

development

Decisions based on evidence lead to better health

outcomes

Decision making is affected by three major

determinants

Group work 1 – Instructions Select a reporter.

Read the case study and answer the following questions (20 min):

What prompted the data use undertaking?

What was the decision taken?

What types of data were used to make the decision?

What was the outcome of the decision?

Report back (5 min per group).